South Africa began their campaign with a bang, unleashing their batting prowess against Sri Lanka. After being put in to bat by Dasun Shanaka, they posted an astonishing total of 428 runs in the first innings.
This incredible feat marked the highest team total ever recorded in the history of the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (CWC23).
Three South African batsmen made centuries during this innings, with Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen leading the charge, followed by Aiden Markram, who achieved the quickest century in ODI World Cup history.
In response, Sri Lanka put up a valiant effort, with Kusal Mendis scoring an impressive 76 runs, Charith Asalanka contributing a solid 79, and Dasun Shanaka adding 68 runs to their total. However, they fell short of the mammoth target set by South Africa.
South Africa’s batting brilliance, highlighted by centuries from De Kock, Van der Dussen, and Markram, saw them post an unprecedented 428/5, establishing a new record for the highest team total in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match.
The latter half of South Africa’s innings saw them accelerate aggressively, with Aiden Markram breaking Kevin O’Brien’s record for the fastest-ever Cricket World Cup century.
Markram reached his century in just 49 deliveries, ultimately scoring 106 runs from 54 balls. Heinrich Klassen (32 from 20), David Miller (39 from 21), and Marco Jansen (12 from 7) also contributed to the phenomenal scoring rate.
After the innings break, Sri Lanka put up a spirited attempt to chase the daunting target. However, their early setbacks, including the loss of opener Pathum Nissanka without scoring, hindered their chances.
Kusal Mendis showed flashes of brilliance, reaching his half-century in just 25 balls, but his dismissal by Kagiso Rabada signaled the beginning of the end for Sri Lanka.
Despite maintaining a strong scoring rate, Sri Lanka lost crucial wickets, with Sadeera Samarawickrama (23 from 19) and Dhananjaya de Silva (11 from 14) falling early in their innings. Charith Asalanka played a remarkable innings, scoring a brisk 79 runs from 65 balls with 12 boundaries, including four sixes.
South Africa had to wait for their victory due to some sloppy fielding and dropped chances, but they eventually bowled Sri Lanka out for 326, securing a 102-run victory.
Dasun Shanaka’s decision to field first appeared to be the right one, as Sri Lanka struck early by dismissing Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma for just 8 runs.
South Africa, however, regained control and built a strong foundation through the Powerplay, with Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen showcasing their batting prowess.
Van der Dussen reached his half-century in the 18th over, while De Kock reached his fifty in the 22nd over. The pair continued to attack the spinners, with a memorable sequence of boundaries.
In the end, South Africa’s dominant batting performance and strategic bowling efforts secured their victory in this record-breaking match.
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